Display rack and shipping case



P. C. FANCHER DISPLAY RACK AND SHIPPING CASE Filed Dec. 27, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

I 46 INVENTOR PET-ER c. FANCHER ATTY: gage. W

Aug. 14, 1962 P. c. FANCHER DISPLAY RACK AND SHIPPING CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 27, 1960 FIG?) INVENTOR PETER C. FANCHER ATTY:

United States Patent 3,049,225 DISPLAY RACK AND SHIPIING CAE Peter C. Fancher, Wayne, Pa, assignor to James Lees and Sons Company, Bridgeport, Pa, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 27, 1960, Ser. No. 73,641 2 Claims. (Cl. 20645.24)

This invention pertains to a combined carpet sample display rack and shipping case for such samples.

In the retailing of soft floor coverings, it is highly desirable to provide an attractive but inexpensive display rack for carpet samples. It is the custom in the merchandising of rugs and carpets for the retailer to purchase outright these samples and display devices. It is, therefore, highly important to obtain as wide distribution as possible to provide an inexpensive display rack or stand for the carpet samples which can also be used as a shipping container for the samples. Previous display stands of a relatively expensive type have secured the carpet samples more or less permanently to the stand. The present invention features such a display rack in which the samples are not physically attached to the rack but can easily be removed for detailed inspection and comparison for color under various types of lighting and decorative arrangements.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an attractive and inexpensive display rack for carpet samples meeting all of the above requirements.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dis play rack for carpet samples having a series of pockets in which the various samples are stored and from which they can be readily removed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an attractive display rack for carpet samples which can be converted to a shipping container by means of a readily collapsible stand secured to the bottom of the container.

Further objects will be apparent from the specification and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective showing the display rack in an open position,

FIGURE 2 is a rear view of the structure of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a partially sectioned view of the display rack of FIGURE 1 showing the stand in collapsed or shipping position, and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional detail showing the construction of the sample pockets.

The invention comprises essentially the provision of a metallic framework having a grid or a plurality of crossbars over which sheetlike material such as heavy paper or a textile fabric is festooned to form a series of pockets between the bars of the grid. A plurality of supports or legs are formed with the bottom of the framework and hinged in such a way that they may be folded to a fiat or shipping position. A cover upon which identifying legends may be placed is also formed integrally with the back so that it may be folded over all or part of the rack thus forming a top closure.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the body section of the display rack assembly comprises a plurality of panels 11, 12, 13, and 14 which are suitably fastened to a metallic framework 15 (FIGURE 3) by means of either threaded or non-threaded fasteners 16, 16. The framework 15 comprises two side assemblies 17 and 18 generally rectangular in shape and having a reinforcing strut 19 welded in a substantially vertical central position. A plurality of lugs 20, 20 are welded to the ends 21 and 22 of the side frames and are suitably drilled and/or tapped to receive the fasteners 16, 16 for the panels. It will be understood that side frame assemblies 17 and 18 are allochiral and, therefore, repetition of the description of frame section 18 is believed to be unnecessary. The framework 15 also has two transverse members 25 and 26 welded across frame sections 17 and 18, top and bottom at the back. The front leg assembly .27 comprises a rod formed into front legs 28 and 29 and extending across the bottom front of the sections 17 and 18 to provide two transverse front tie members 30 and 31. Diagonal braces 32 and 33 are secured at the bottom of the framework to provide requisite rigidity. The rear legs 35 and 36 are formed of rods hinged to the bottom portion of each side frame member 17 and 18. This hinged connection for leg 35 is shown at 37 and 38 and the attachment of leg 36 to frame member 18 is identical. Each leg 35 and 36 has a brace 39 and 40 respectively which when the legs are extended are secured to the bottoms of the legs by means of wing nuts 45, 45 and washers 46, 46 (FIGURES 1 and 2).

A series of bars 47, 4-7 extend transversely across the top of frames 17 and 18 and are suitably secured to the top frame member as by welding. A length of webbing which may be in the form of heavy paper or fabric 48 is secured to a front cross member 49 and extends over each of the bars 47, 47 to form a plurality of pockets 5%, 59 between the bars 47. To maintain equal depth of the pockets suitable fastening means such as a clip or a staple 51 is employed to secure adjacent portions of the web 48 together below each of the bars 47.

The display samples S are supported in the pockets 5i) and can be readily removed therefrom for close inspection or color comparison. The longitudinal spacing between bars 47 is such that the samples S are readily removed and inserted by salesmen and prospective purchasers. When the display rack is collapsed, as shown in FIGURE 3, it can be shipped with the samples S in place and the back panel 13 is folded forwardly over some or all of the samples along the bend line 55 (FIG- URE 2). A locking device formed of cut-out material 56 and 57 is secured in place by a bendable flap 58 may be utilized to hold the panel 13 in its upright or extended position as seen in FIGURE 1.

The entire assembly is a compact, attractive display stand and combined shipping container for carpet samples. The design is effective, simple, and inexpensive permitting the samples to be displayed and inspected by the customer to best advantage. The configuration provides a sloping front so that the upper portions of all the samples are exposed thereby permitting easy identification and comparison.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A carpet sample shipping container comprising a metallic framework assembly having side frame members formed of rodlike material, a plurality of transverse connecting members secured to the bottom and ends of said side frame members, a grid secured transversely to the top of said side frame members, a plurality of hinged legs swingably connected to the bottom of the side frame members, a brace for each of said legs one end of each brace being swingably connected to the bottom of opposite side frame members, a length of sheetlike material festooned over said grid to form a series of pockets between the bars of the grid, a fastener for the sheetlike material securing adjacent folds to each other under each of the bars of the grid, and a plurality of carpet samples in said pockets.

2. A carpet sample shipping container comprising a metallic framework assembly having side frame members formed of rodlike material, a plurality of panels secured around the exterior of said assembly to form four sides and an open bottom for the container, a plurality of transverse connecting members secured to the bottom and ends of said side frame members, a grid secured transversely to the top of said side frame members, a

plurality of hinged legs swingably connected to the bot- References Cited in the file of this patent tom of the side frame members, a brace for each of said UNITED STATES PATENTS legs one end of each brace being swingably connected to the bottom of opposite side frame members, a length figs 5g of sheetlike material festooned over said grid to form 5 2023150 Ritchie 1935 a series of pockets between the bars of the grid, a fastener 2194828 1940 for the =sheetlike material securing adjacent folds to each 2:623:527 1952 other under each of the bars of the grid, a plurality of carpet samples in said pockets, and an extension on one FOREIGN PATENTS of said panels folded over a plurality of the samples. 10 557,530 Belgium May 31, 1957 

